NSC recalls five sports officials, including CAN member Gunjan Shah Thakuri, within nine days

The National Sports Council has recalled five sports association officials, including Gunjan Shah Thakuri, who had been nominated to the board of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

The decision was taken at the council's member-secretary-level meeting held on Wednesday.

Shah's tenure at CAN has ended less than a month after her nomination.

She had been sent to fill the vacancy after Chhumbi Lama was removed following the formation of the new government.

Shambhu Karki, Krishna Hari Sanju, Binod Shrestha and Ganesh Prasad Mainali, who had been nominated to the badminton, shooting, swimming and cycling associations respectively, have also been recalled.

Council Member-Secretary Ramcharitra Mehta said the decision was made for technical reasons, without disclosing further details.

The letter, signed by Lilaram Basnet, chief of the associations coordination section, states that Shah is being recalled under sub-clause 4 of Article 3, Chapter 2 of CAN's statute. The letter has also been sent to CAN for information.

CAN's statute has a provision allowing the council to nominate two members. However, the Sports Development Act, 2020 (2077 BS) has already removed the mandatory provision for two council representatives on sports associations' executive committees.

The decision has once again raised questions about the process and basis for nominating officials to sports associations.